Friday, 7 August 2015

TREATING HEADACHE WITH YOGA


The head needs just a reason to ache. Headache is a very usual problem among people. According to WHO (World Health Organization) near about 47% of people have faced headache during the last year. This figure is just of those people, who went to see a doctor. But there are many, who despite suffering from a bad headache, do not see a doctor, as this is such a common problem. Remember that a problem is a problem, especially when it occurs frequently. Many of us take a pain relief medicine without seeing a doctor because when it comes to headache almost all of us is a specialist. Those who do not like to go for medicines, go for balm or use grandmother tips. It is always advisable to see a doctor if it becomes a frequent problem.
Even though it is a common problem with everybody, one should not take it lightly. The head is the main operator of the entire body and all the nerves are attached to the brain. So, the pain may be for any reason, which may even be fatal. Headache comes with several types. There are many kind of headache but one thing is predictable, that is pain. There are many causes of headache like tension, depression, sinus, migraine and cluster headache. In females, menstrual problem can also be a cause of headache. Blood clot, brain freeze, stroke, poisoning of carbon monoxide, mild cranial trauma, dehydration, glaucoma, influenza, panic attacks are also responsible for headache.
Migraine is one of the most common causes of severe headaches. It may stay for few hours or 2 – 3 days. The pain attacks either one side or both sides of head. Nausea, sensory disturbance, may also be a symptom.
Yoga is an immemorial method which encourages holistic living through incorporation of position and breathing method. Without any medication, we can be free from many kind of headache including migraine. Regular practicing of some Asanas and Pranayama can be beneficial for headaches.
Hastapadasana or Standing forward bends:

Process: Stand straight. Stretch your arms upward, be sure to feel the stretch in your spine. Now bend slowly to touch the ground with palms. Head should touch the knees. Stay in this position for few minutes with normal breathing.
N.B: People who suffer from spondylosis, high B.P, heart disease should not do this exercise.
SETU BANDHASANA (BRIDGE POSE)


Process: Lie down on the ground. Then fold your knee just like this picture. Hands should be kept aside your body. Then raise your waist upward but your head, neck and shoulder must be touched with the ground. You can use your hands as a support. Stay for a while with normal breathing.
N.B:  Person who has neck and back injury should avoid this asana.
BAALASANA (CHILD POSE)





Process: This asana is very effective for stress. Sit on the ground and put your weight on the knees. Now compress the feet onto the ground to sit on your heels. Open out your thighs and distant them from each other just a little. Then breathe out and bend your waist to the forward. Upper part of your body should stay on your thighs. Extend your hands in front to stretch your back. Forehead should be touching the ground. In this posture stay with normal breathing for a while.
N.B: During pregnancy, knee injury or diarrhea, this should not be practiced.
PADMASANA

Process:  Sit on the ground and stretch your legs to forward. Now bring left leg and keep it onto right thigh. Then bring right leg on the left thigh. Keep your hands on the knees. Join your index finger and thumb and keep the rest of the fingers straight. Keep your spine and head straight. Close your eyes and do deep breathing.
This asana is a great way of doing meditation. You can read more about meditation in my previous post - http://experiencingseconds.blogspot.in/2015/07/stay-blessed-with-meditation.html
N.B: Don’t practice this, if you have knee or ankle injury.

SURYABHEDON PRANAYAMA

Process: First sit in Padmasana. Then close your index and middle finger of right hand. Lock your left nostril with the help of ring finger and little finger. Use thumb to lock your right nostril. Now lock your left nostril with mentioning finger and inhale through the right nostril. Lock both nostrils with mentioning finger for a few seconds, and then open your left nostril to exhale the air, in the meantime, right nostril should be closed with thumb. You can also practice it without holding your breath.
This pranayama is very useful for not only migraine or headache, but cough and cold, tonsil and asthma too.
These Pranayams are very helpful in curing headaches. As I said, headaches should not be taken lightly as they can be fatal if we do not take prompt action. But any kind of headache can be prevented by Yoga and good food habits, well balanced life style. We should always think positive. Yoga is the best and safest way to prevent any kind of diseases. If anyone can do these Asana and Pranayams correctly, they can be free from not only headache but from many physical and mental problems too.

So, practice Yoga and stay a healthy life!!